Artists in San Miguel and Other Stories

By Francisco Javier Morales

Luciano realized that Bono had fallen in love with Lady Beautiful. He
did not say one word, not even opened his mouth. He feigned not
noticing and kept silent. The next time that Lady Beautiful appeared at
La Buena Vida everything happened real quickly, as if she had arrived
fl ying at great speed. She once again remained at the high part of the
place. Now, it was Luciano who felt an uncontrollable impulse. He did
not clear his throat and breathed deeply. In a wink, he began to hum
the Bolero by Ravel. He started softly but with a powerful and sure
voice which went high, to the sky. As he increased the energy of the
musical piece, he did the same with the melodious sound and the
profound emotion that came out of his powerful throat.
His voice was that of the lover who is showing
his irrepressible joy and is about to go mad
because the loved one is near. He doesnt
know it but his legs are moving without
his knowledge and taking him where

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palibrio
• Release date: Jun 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781463386047

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Francisco Javier Morales Ercambrack.

Email: [e-mail]

Library of Congress Control Number:        2014910187

ISBN:                  Hardcover                           978-1-4633-8606-1

                Softcover                             978-1-4633-8605-4

          eBook                                  978-1-4633-8604-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

All the short stories of Artists in San Miguel and Other Stories were written in Spanish by me and kindly translated into English by Alice M. Woodrow.

Rev. date: 19/06/2014

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INDEX

Artists in San Miguel

Little Fortune Birds

Erika

Uxmal and Celestun

Birds, Foxes and Herons of San Miguel de Allende

A Pelican in Puerto Vallarta

A Humming Bird

Stallion

Sirems

Baby Turtles

The Rainy Season

The Desert

Africar

Beast, Master and Tambourine

To Ana, Laura and my parents’ memory

ARTISTS IN SAN MIGUEL

I

Love at First Sight

Luciano cleared his throat. He knew he had to be in tune from the start of the song. Bono paid attention to all the movements of his companion. He gave the impression that he would limit himself to only be the accompanying voice. Not too many seconds passed when Bono became tense awaiting the problems that were about to begin. Then, both of them turned their heads to allow their eyes to meet. It seemed that this was about a casual meeting, like the one we experience when we pass through any place. However, anyone who is attentive to body language could guess that, from the eyes of both of them, a discreet and intense spark of hate came out, like those that appear when two rocks collide intentionally with violence.

They were both nervous, despite being a pair of professional singers. Perhaps this was not a voice duel but which, in reality, was a niggardly competition of egos. Who could sing better? Bono or Luciano? Luciano would shine as usual with a song where a deep voice is needed that goes up and down masterfully so that the diners feel that the scenario booms with exquisite harmony.

If Bono’s voice was more modest, he does have the necessary mastery to almost hypnotize those present and make them dance or sing. The question lies in that he is inspired with a modern song and Luciano will end up having problems. How is it possible for Bono to take over the performance and not him? For God’s sake! Nature is wise due to something and not everyone was granted the same voice chords. In addition here at the restaurant-bakery, La Vida Buena (The Good Life) in San Miguel Allende, the famous and acclaimed artist is he, not the mimicking Irish singer who, according to those who say what they know, has neither a foreign passport nor was born in Europe.

Luciano has thought that it is more probable that Bono was born in some place close to Queretaro or Atotonilco than outside the country. But, like he himself would say, in this world and in all the others that may have existed, facts are facts and the idle talk and envies are like boiling saliva that makes the mouths of busybodies and jealous people boil. Poor inferior beings, Bono said on one occasion in which he and Luciano were still friends and sang famous songs in chorus. If they don’t spit it out and hurt their neighbors, they will be poisoned by so much venom that they have in their bodies, so ended Bono the phrase with a deep breath. At that time, Luciano and Bono would sing with gusto songs of modern pop groups and other famous singers. Those were the times of friendship, camaraderie and happiness.

Luciano was aware of speculation regarding Bono and of the hearsay and the gossipmongers. He pretended when it is necessary to pretend. Because of this, even though Bono now is not totally to his liking, he treats him with respect recalling the old friendship that existed between them, and also because he, Luciano, is an honorable gentleman who mistreats no one. Also, he knows that in show business one cannot talk bad about anyone, not because there exist karmas or costly lawsuits for slander, but because in this environment everything that is said today returns tomorrow like a sharp boomerang to cut out the tongue and the throat of the gossiper. Ooof, better not open my beak, thought Luciano.

For a moment, there was a convenient silence. Luciano and Bono, without wanting, took a deep breath as if they were sighing. Who knows what they were recalling or what feelings were being harbored in their hoarse chests. If Luciano had a powerful microphone at his reach, he would make the rocks of all the churches vibrate around there and would also conquer the ears of all the diners of Tio Lukas, the Café Finestra and the Café de Bellas Artes, and of all the other places around there. For example, those at the Tio Lukas would stop eating the succulent meat dishes and would ask the jazz group that plays there to remain silent while Luciano enchanted their ears with his splendid voice.

Those who know a lot about art, and more of artists, say that the rivalry, so as not to say hate, between Luciano and Bono began that time when an elegant and attractive woman arrived at La Vida Buena. Lady Beautiful they called her. She had a lovely hairdo with yellow feathers and she stared at both artists attentively. She distracted their attention and made them make mistakes in their songs. It seemed that she had stolen their soul and the movement in their vocal chords as well.

From the first time that Lady Beautiful went to La Vida Buena, the rivalry between both singers started. They began to hate each other. Luciano changed his attitude and, when Bono sang, it was coincidental that his throat was hoarse with a lot of r’s, as if there was something caught in his vocal chords. Bono, for his part, began to cough noisily as if he had the flu. There was one occasion when he did this in a very rude manner about which even he was embarrassed.

Oh! A beautiful friendship that went berserk and was lost only because a beautiful lady came one day and flirted with both famous artists at the same time. The problem did not end then. That heart thief separated friends and made them jealous of one another. Like, for example, there is that day when she arrived at the La Vida Buena and, from a high part of that place, looked at Bono fixedly. He went dumb with emotion. He became distracted and began to draw the attention of the beautiful unknown. As of that moment, he included in his repertoire some romantic famous songs. Not even, Frank Sinatra, the Bee Gees, or The Association would have sung them with so much feeling and love like Bono was doing.

II

The Bolero by Ravel

Luciano realized that Bono had fallen in love with Lady Beautiful. He did not say one word, not even opened his mouth. He feigned not noticing and kept silent. The next time that Lady Beautiful appeared at La Vida Buena everything happened real quickly, as if she had arrived flying at great speed. She once again remained at the high part of the place. Now, it was Luciano who felt an uncontrollable impulse. He did not clear his throat and breathed deeply. In a wink, he began to hum the Bolero by Ravel. He started softly but with a powerful and sure voice which went high into the sky. As he increased the energy of the musical piece, he did the same with the melodious sound and the profound emotion that came out of his powerful throat. His voice was that of the lover who is showing his irrepressible joy and is about to go mad because the loved one is near. He doesn’t know it, but his legs are moving without his knowledge and taking him where the charming and maddening lady awaits him. The Bolero is the excuse to start the trek to the sky. The emotion of the lover increases when he sees his loved one has extended her hand for him to take. He feels that her hand burns in his, and he takes it to his lips and kisses it with passion. This is the moment of total exaltation, of the strength and emotion and ecstasy that Luciano is transmitting to the musical piece that he is humming. The sounds emanating from his throat are joining one on one in perfect sequence of movement, passion and force. The artist, through love, has conquered all. He can extend his wings and knows he is the owner of the world, of perfection, of the best voice that exists and of the love of the loved one. He does not ask for more, nor is there any more.

The whole world remained openmouthed by Luciano’s performance. Bono could not hide his admiration. According to San Miguel inhabitants, in the inside of the Parish of St. Michael, which is a few blocks away, it was heard how Luciano was